Carrying Case For Concealed Firearms

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a concealed firearm carrying device that is configured in such a manner as to alleviate the inherent disadvantages of other concealed carrying devices; it incorporates safety features that good practice dictates without interfering with practical use. The device is made in such a fashion so as to cover the firearm&#39;s upper assembly to help retain the shape of the holster and secure the firearm, and to cover the trigger and trigger guard thus reducing the possibility of an accidental discharge when drawing the firearm. 
     The device is further configured to provide sufficient clearance for inserting the fingers of the drawing hand on the front side of the firearm&#39;s butt below the firearm&#39;s trigger guard. The quick releasing type of closure mechanism including magnetic closure further provides quick withdrawal of the firearm carried within the device and the device is adapted to receive firearms of various sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an improved device for carrying a concealed firearm. More particularly, the present invention relates to a concealed firearm carrying device that is configured in such a manner as to alleviate the inherent disadvantages of other concealed carrying devices available for this purpose; it incorporates safety features that good practice dictates without interfering with practical use.

2. Description of Related Art

Previous concealed carry holsters, cases, or retention devices suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages in use.

Holsters, cases, or retention devices that reveal the shape or part of the weapon are required to be concealed from public view. This is generally accomplished by apparel that must be worn at all times, thus limiting the user's choice of dress or comfort. Some require placement inside or underneath apparel that must be removed or disengaged before accessing the weapon, thus limiting quick access or deployment. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,361 to Devlin (1997) discloses a holster for a concealed weapon. The holster can be detachably secured to the inner side of the belt of the wearer with the holster and gun concealed within the trousers and beneath the shirt of the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,671 to Else et. al. (1991) discloses a handgun holster that is contoured and designed to be worn beneath clothing in the abdominal area. U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,834 to Parrott, III (1999) discloses a concealed carry holster worn under a user's clothing. Other examples include U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,465 to Johnson (1988); U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,432 to Gage et al. (2000); U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,001 to Madarang (2002); U.S. PreGrant Pub. No. 2006/0196907 A1 to Pruitt 2006). Consequently, it is desired to have carrying devices that do not reveal the shape or part of the weapon and do not have to be covered or concealed from view, thus allowing the user to dress in a manner of choice or comfort.

Although there are previous examples that do not reveal the shape or part of the weapon, the access they provide to the firearm is limited because the firearm is fully enclosed via zipper or other closure. These require the user to open the zipper or closure and reach inside to grip the weapon for withdrawal, thus limiting quick access and deployment. In some instances the trigger may be exposed inside the enclosure increasing the possibility of an accidental discharge when attempting to deploy the weapon. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,355 to Williams (1996) discloses a pack for carrying a gun. The pack is mounted on a wearer by a belt around the wearer's waist. The pack has a pouch enclosed by two zippers for carrying a hand gun. In use, a wearer needs to pull open the zippers to open the pouch before he or she can access the hand gun carried within. The user may not be able to grasp the handgun properly because the handgun may not be secured in place. As a result, it is desired to have carrying devices that provide quick access and safety features to lessen the possibility of an accidental discharge.

Accordingly, there exists a need for carrying devices which completely conceals the firearm without revealing the shape or part of the firearm. The carrying devices should not need to be covered or concealed from view, thus the user can dress in a manner of choice or comfort. The carrying devices should provide features to meet good safety practice, thus reducing the possibility of an accidental discharge. The carrying devices should not interfere with the practical use, meaning quick access and deployment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that can completely conceal the firearm without revealing the shape or part of the firearm.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that can be worn in plain sight. Thus, the user can dress in a manner of choice or comfort.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that provides features to ensure good safety practice, thus reducing possibility of accidental discharge.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that allows quick access and deployment of the firearm.

The carrying device according to the present invention comprises a front face, a back face, two side panels, a bottom panel, and a cover. The front face is connected to the back face via two side panels, and the bottom panel. The cover is connected to the top edge of the back face and folds against the front face to cover up the top opening. The closure mechanism on the interior surface mates with the closure mechanism on the exterior surface of the front face thus keeping the device closed. The device further comprises an internal insert which is fitted inside between the front face and back face. The device is worn on the user's belt or other attachment point. A firearm is inserted into the device such that the firearm's fore-end goes down between the internal insert and a side panel. The internal insert functions to retain the overall shape of the holster and helps secure the firearm via friction against the firearm's fore-end.

Embodiments of the invention include multiple sizes which are large enough to cover the entire firearm. The front face is made in such a fashion so as to cover the firearm's upper assembly to help retain the shape of the holster and secure the weapon, and to cover the trigger and trigger guard to reduce the possibility of an accidental discharge when drawing the weapon. The front face is further configured to provide sufficient clearance to insert the fingers of the drawing hand on the front side of the firearm's butt below the firearm's trigger guard. This allows the user to withdraw the weapon using a standard drawing technique for quick deployment without impinging on the trigger.

The carrying device for concealed firearm according to the present invention is an improvement over the concealed pack disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,355 to Williams (1996) and the holsters mentioned in the background section of the present invention. The device according to the present invention provides additional safety feature, thus reducing accidental discharge of the firearm. Instead of zippers, the device of the present invention is enclosed either with magnetic closure or hook and loop or side-release buckle, thus a user can quickly draw the weapon.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 a is an isometric view of right hand embodiment;

FIG. 1 b is an isometric view of left hand embodiment;

FIG. 2 a is a front transparent view of the right hand embodiment with the cover opened;

FIG. 2 b is a font transparent view of left hand embodiment with the cover opened;

FIG. 3 a is a front transparent view of the right hand embodiment with the cover opened and a firearm placed inside;

FIG. 3 b is a front transparent view of the right hand embodiment with the cover opened and a firearm placed inside;

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of a user wearing a right hand embodiment of the present invention on a belt with cover;

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view showing a user grasping the butt of the firearm and safely draw the firearm from the present invention as worn on a belt;

FIG. 5 is a back transparent view of the right hand embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front view of embodiment using hook and loop for cover closure with cover closed; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of embodiment using side-release buckle for cover closure with cover closed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1A, there is disclosed an isometric view of a right hand embodiment of the carrying device 100 according to the present invention with the cover open. The device is worn on the user's belt or other attachment point. The right hand embodiment may be worn on the user's right side for a conventional draw, or on the user's left side for a cross-draw application. FIG. 1B discloses an isometric view of a left hand embodiment of the carrying device 100 which may be similarly employed in the reverse manner. The carrying device 100 comprises a front face 10, a back face 19, a side panels 20, a bottom panel (not shown in FIG. 1), and a cover 12. The front face 10 with an integrated closure mechanism 13A and a cutout 11 is connected to the back face 19 (not shown in FIG. 1) via two side panels 20, and the bottom panel. The cover 12 with an integrated closure mechanism 13B mating to the closure mechanism 13A is connected to the top edge 16 of the back face 19. In another embodiment, other closure mechanism known in the art including but not limited to hook and loop may be used to replace the integrated magnetic lock.

FIG. 2A is a front transparent view of a right hand embodiment with the cover opened. FIG. 3A is a front transparent view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A with a firearm 200 carried within. The front face 10 is made in such a fashion so as to cover the firearm's upper assembly to help retain the shape of the holster and secure the firearm 200, and to cover the trigger 202 and trigger guard 204 thus reducing the possibility of an accidental discharge when drawing the firearm 200. In the right hand embodiment, the cutout 11 is on the left top corner of the front face 10. The internal insert 17 is fitted on the left bottom corner between the front face 10 and back face 19. A firearm 200 is inserted into the device 100 such that the firearm's fore-end 206 goes down between the internal insert 17 and the right side panel 20.

The internal insert 17 functions to retain the overall shape of the holster, and helps secure the firearm 200 via friction against the firearm's fore-end 206 so that the firearm 200 is held in place inside the device 100. The firearm's butt 208 is sitting above the insert 17 next to the cutout 11. The front face 10 is further configured to have a cutout 11 for providing sufficient clearance to insert the fingers of the drawing hand on the front side of the firearm's butt 208 below the firearm's trigger guard 204. This allows the user to withdraw the weapon using a standard drawing technique for quick deployment without impinging on the trigger. FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B are the front view of the left hand embodiment with outline of a cutout 11, and internal insert 17, and without or with the outline of a firearm 200. Both FIG. 2B and 3B share the same components and features as the right hand embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2A and 3A.

FIG. 4A showing the device of the presentation worn on a belt of a user with cover closed. FIG. 4B illustrates the butt of the firearm being grasped to safely draw the weapon from the device of the present invention as worn on a belt.

The cover 12 folds against the exterior surface of the front face 10, covering up the top opening area including cutout 11 of the front face 10 to conceal the firearm 200 from public view and is retained by the closure mechanisms 13B on its interior surface and 13A on the front face 10. In one embodiment (depicted in FIG. 1A, 1B), the closure mechanism is magnetic closure which provides the most quiet cover release and fastest deployment.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is disclosed a back view of right hand embodiment of the present invention. The releasable belt straps 14 with integrated retention snaps 15A at one end are attached to the back face 19 of the device 100. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the device 100. The back face 19 is integrated with retention snaps 15B which mates with the retention snaps 15A on the belt straps 14 so that the device 100 is securely attached to the user's belt once it is put on. The releasable belt straps 14 allow securing to or removing from the user's belt without removing the user's belt; the separated belt straps 14 may be used to secure a position around a belt loop on the device. The releasable belt straps 14 also allow the device 100 to be attached elsewhere, including but not limited to safety harnesses, seats belts, held by hand or other points for use in a conveyance or at a fixed location. In another embodiment, a hook and loop fastening means may be used to replace the retention snaps 15A and 15B on the belt straps 14 and on the back face 19. The belt straps 14 may be permanently affixed to the back face 19 at both ends as an alternate embodiment. A pen/pencil holder 18 for receiving pens, pencils, flash lights, tools, or the like, is incorporated into side panels 20 to allow further disguise in use.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an embodiment with closed cover 12 having a hook and loop as the closure mechanism 13A and 13B on both cover 12 and front face 10 which provides the most secure means for keeping the cover 12 closed. FIG. 8 shows a front view of an embodiment with closed cover having a side-release buckle as the closure mechanism 13A and 13B which is the least expensive. The device 100 may further comprise a belt or the like for wearing on or attached to human body.

The device 100 may be made from ballistic nylon, leather, PVC, fabric and any other suitable materials for the intended purpose. As an alternative embodiment, the device 100 may be a molded plastic case. The device 100 may be made in different sizes and shapes. It may assume different design features and appearance in addition to what is indicated in the drawings.

To deploy the firearm 200, the user gains access by pulling on the lower edge of cover 12 with the fingers of the drawing hand, releasing closure mechanism 13B from 13A and flipping cover 12 up out of the way. The drawing hand continues to the front of front face 10, and the fingers are inserted in front of the firearm's butt 208, initiating a standard draw to deploy the firearm 200.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled. 

1. A carrying device for concealed firearm comprising: a front face, having an integrated closure mechanism and a cutout; a back face; a couple of side panels, a bottom panel, the front face and the back face are connected through the two side panels and the bottom panel; a cover having an integrated closure mechanism for mating with the closure mechanism on the front face, the cover is connected to the top edge of the back face; an internal insert fitted inside between the front face and the back face; at least one releasable belt strap, the releasable belt strap having two ends, the releasable belt strap is connected to the top edge of the back face at one end.
 2. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the internal insert functions to retain the overall shape of a holster, and helps secure the firearm via friction against the firearm's fore-end or may be trimmed to accommodate a laser aiming device mounted below the barrel/slide of the firearm.
 3. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the internal insert functions to retain the overall shape of a holster to receive a firearm with or without a laser without changing the holster to a different version.
 4. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front face is made in such a fashion so as to cover the firearm's upper assembly and to cover the trigger and trigger guard thus reducing the possibility of an accidental discharge.
 5. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the cutout provides sufficient clearance for inserting the fingers of the drawing hand on the firearm's butt below the firearm's trigger guard.
 6. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism on the cover and front face are magnetic closure.
 7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism on the cover and front face are hook and loop closure.
 8. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism on the cover and front face are side-release buckle closure.
 9. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the releasable belt straps may be attached to anything including but not limited to belts, safety harness, and seats belts, hand holds.
 10. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the back face further having at least one retention snap, the releasable belt strap having retention snap at the other end for mating with the retention snap on the back face.
 11. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the back face further having at least one hook and loop fastening means, the releasable belt strap having a hook and loop fastening means at the other end for mating with the hook and loop fastening means on the back face.
 12. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the releasable belt straps may be permanently affixed on the back face of the device at both ends.
 13. The carrying device of claim 1 may be made from ballistic nylon, leather, PVC, fabric and any other suitable materials for the intended purpose.
 14. The carrying device of claim 1 may be made from a molded case.
 15. The carrying device of claim 1 further comprises at least one holder attached to the side panels.
 16. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the device having embodiments for right hand users and left hand users.
 17. A carrying device for concealed firearm comprising: a front face, having an integrated closure mechanism and a cutout; the cutout provides sufficient clearance for inserting the fingers of the drawing hand on the firearm's butt below the firearm's trigger guard; a back face, having at least one integrated retention snap; a couple of side panels, a bottom panel, the front face and the back face are connected through the side panels and the bottom panel; a cover having an integrated closure mechanism for mating with the closure mechanism on the front face, the cover is connected to the top edge of the back face; an internal insert fitted inside between the front face and the back face, the insert functions to retain the overall shape of a holster, and helps secure the firearm via friction against the firearm's fore-end; at least one belt strap connected to the top edge of the back face at one end having retention snap at the other end for mating with the retention snap on the back face; and the holder is attached to the side panel.
 18. The carrying device of claim 17, wherein the device having embodiments for right hand users or left hand users; wherein the holster is adapted to receive firearms of various sizes.
 19. A carrying device for concealed firearm comprising: a front face, having an integrated closure mechanism and a cutout; the cutout provides sufficient clearance for inserting the fingers of the drawing hand on the firearm's butt below the firearm's trigger guard; a back face, having at least one integrated retention snap; a couple of side panels, a bottom panel, the front face and the back face are connected through the side panels and the bottom panel; a cover having an integrated closure mechanism for mating with the closure mechanism on the front face, the cover is connected to the top edge of the back face; an internal insert fitted inside between the front face and the back face, the insert functions to retain the overall shape of the holster, and helps secure the firearm via friction against the firearm's fore-end; at least one belt strap connected to the top edge of the back face at one end, having retention snap at the other end for mating with the retention snap on the back face; a holder attached to the side panel; and a belt.
 20. The carrying device of claim 19, wherein the device having embodiments for right hand users and left hand users. 